Oskar Blues
Death By King Cake
Oskar Blues’ Death By King Cake is what the kids these days might call “a lot.” It’s got one of those names you would only find in craft beer and indie rock. The label mentions cinnamon, nutmeg, cacao, orange peel, and pecans. Have we finally, as a civilization, gone too far? As it turns out, the most unbelievable part of this brew is that it manages to make all that craziness work pretty darn well together. The pour is unassuming enough: clear, reddish gold, with a notable head of cream-colored foam. The nose is nutty, with a bit of citrus, but still pretty subtle. Take a swig and you’ll be treated to a light body with a creamy mouthfeel that really does evoke taking a bite of birthday cake. The vanilla serves as a backbone to a host of flavors including subtly sweet mandarin orange with a pinch of citrus acidity, understated spicy notes from the cinammon and nutmeg, and a malty, nutty finish complimented by crisp carbonation. You would never imagine by looking at the can, but this is a balanced, drinkable, maybe even mellow ale that doesn’t overwhelm you with any of its eccentric ingredients.